Broughton: Burnt-out car linked to dumping of dead animals

Broughton Community Shop volunteers described the scene as "devastating"

Police investigating the dumping of dead animals in front of a shop say they have found a vehicle believed to be linked to the crime.

Volunteers for Broughton Community Shop in Hampshire found 50 dead hares, a barn owl and a kestrel scattered outside their building on Friday.

The police said officers had located a burnt-out Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Images of the animals' bodies circulated on social media, evoking a public outcry.

Conservationist Chris Packham said on X it was "horrific on so many levels".

Fellow wildlife TV presenter Megan McCubbin - Mr Packham's stepdaughter - called the act "heart-breaking" and "barbaric".

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, she said she knew how it felt "to be attacked in that manner", having had dead animals left outside her home.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said officers would be in the area today to provide reassurance.

"We are still asking the public to send us CCTV or dash-cam images of any cars matching this description seen in the Test Valley area around the time of the incident," the force added.

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